After successful runs the last seven years, North Lawrence and Mitchell Community Schools will play host to the Summer Food Service Program for Children in June, July and early August.

The federally funded program provides youth ages 18 and younger with free breakfast and free lunch during the months school is out of session. For some children, school lunch may be the only nutritious meal they get. So, when school lets out for the summer, the Indiana Department of Education wanted to make sure those children still get good food.

The program in Bedford starts today and end Aug. 10. Mitchell will begin serving lunch only today with meals ending July 19. The meals will be provided to all children without charge.
Free meals are also extended to visitors older than 18 who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled.

In addition to free meals for students, adults can purchase breakfast for $2 and lunch for $3.
The meals only can be served as "dine-in." There are no income restrictions.

The meals will be served Mondays through Fridays in the Bedford Middle School cafeteria. Breakfast will be served from 9-10 a.m., and lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mitchell Community Schools will serve lunch at Burris Elementary School from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Adult lunches in Mitchell are $2.75.

According to the IDOE, the federal government establishes reimbursement rates for operational and administrative costs. Reimbursement is based on the meals served and the number of children who participated.

The Salvation Army's Hidden Falls Camp southeast of Bedford also is a participant in the Summer Food Service Program. The camp provides free and low cost meals to eligible children who are registered campers. The program is not open to the general public.